Exploring the dog-friendly slopes of New Hampshire

Some ski areas don't allow dogs; others embrace them

Escape Outside Editor Paula Tracy skis at Bear Notch Ski Touring in Bartlett with her four-legged friend, "Megan." It is the only Nordic area in the state and all 65 groomed kilometers are open to dogs.

(Photo by Paula Tracy)

Photos

Escape Outside Editor Paula Tracy skis at Bear Notch Ski Touring in Bartlett with her four-legged friend, "Megan." It is the only Nordic area in the state and all 65 groomed kilometers are open to dogs.

(Photo by Paula Tracy)

While the sign reads "No dogs" at about half the cross-country ski areas in the state, the other half have terrain available to canine companions, and even one ski area allows dogs on every kilometer it has open.

After calling about 20 areas this past week, I learned some do not allow dogs for various reasons, like the damage their paws do to the grooming surface. Others have insurance issues, and still others do not care for the conflict among dogs and people in what is usually a tranquil environment. Also, if a skier is flying down the hill and a dog is in the way, it can be a safety concern, they say.

But some areas embrace the dogs, like Bear Notch Ski Touring Center in Bartlett, where you can also snowshoe on every one of their 65 groomed kilometers for $17 for the day.

Luisa Amaral at Bear Notch said they have always had a laid-back, "bring what works for you" sort of approach to running the Nordic center. They began 17 years ago, and it has worked well.

The terrain is lovely and varied from trails that follow a beautiful brook to open fields and steeps. This past week, it has been 100 percent open.

Dogs are incredible companions while skiing, particularly if you like to go out alone.

I once wrote about a man who was saved by his dog after he fell and broke his hip while cross-country skiing. The dog lay beside him and kept him warm until help arrived, many hours after he fell in freezing cold.

I have always welcomed the companionship of a dog in the woods by myself and think it is important to be able to have that as an option. They work better than cellphones.

So with that, here is a rundown of where you and your dog can go:

Gunstock -- tons of doggy terrain from beginner to back country up the old Alpine Ridge, with lift-accessed descents from the summit offered from the Tiger Chair. Skijoring lessons offered.

Bretton Woods -- The Deception trail area is dog-friendly. This is a huge 22 kilometer area in the woods behind the Mount Washington Hotel, said Peter Smith, the director.

Mount Washington Valley in Intervale -- Dogs are allowed in the Whitaker Woods, about 15 to 20 kilometers worth.

Waterville Valley -- About 14 kilometers on the White Mountain National Forest area is available for dogs.

King Pine in Madison -- Dogs are allowed on the cross-country trails as long as they are leashed. They even have some pet-friendly rooms and can be reached at 603-367-4042.

Jackson Ski Touring has at least 10 kilometers open to dogs and you can call them at 603-383-9355 or 1-800-XCSNOWS.

In the village, you can exercise your dog, but the place to go to get a workout and a nice outing with a dog is the Prospect Farm area, which is in higher elevations than the village. The dogs can go for some distance. It does not get groomed often enough because it's remote, and there are usually few people out there.

Thom Perkins, executive director of the Jackson Ski Touring Foundation, said he hears from both sides.

"We have a lot of people who thank us for not allowing dogs," he said. "We also have a lot of people who want dogs. Our emphasis is on providing extraordinary grooming."

He added that dogs can become a safety issue when skiers get some speed going.

Craftsbury Common, Vt., has 10 kilometers for dogs. They are at 802-586-7767.

Kingdom Trails in Burke, Vt., has 25 kilometers, and they can be reached at 802-334-7676.

Memphremagog in Derby Line, Vt., has dog-friendly terrain at 802-686-7767.

At Killington, Mountain Meadows allows dogs, and they can be reached at 802-775-0166.

In Maine, Sugarloaf has 10 kilometers of dog-friendly Nordic terrain and they are at 207-237-6830.

Carter's Cross Country Ski Center in Bethel, Maine, has 110 kilometers for dogs, and they can be reached at 207-824-3880.

Also in Maine, dogs can ski at Five Fields in Bridgton and there is a small area at the Bethel Inn in Bethel.

In Vermont, Mountain Top, Stowe, Jay and Blueberry Lake in East Warren also offer dog-friendly terrain.